HELP! Reset AlienwareM14xR2 to Factory Settings!!!

Question

I Need help here.

I want to reset my Alienware M14xR2 to its factory settings which can be easily done by using AlienRespawn IF AND ONLY IF I have my original Hard disk, but I already changed my Hard Disk because it encountered a Hard Disk Failure and needs to be replaced which was changed for free because my laptop was still under warranty.

Originally my laptop is running Windows 8 Operating System, and I upgraded to Windows 8.1 via Windows Store, which I learned lately that Windows 8.1 is not stabled yet and makes the Reset PC/Refresh PC doesn't work in the "CHANGE PC SETTINGS > UPDATE AND RECOVERY > RECOVERY".

I tried fresh install of Windows 8 but it says "No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and then click Ok" and after clicking "OK" it says " A Media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USB or Hard Disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now."

this part is where i don't understand because the only CD/DVD i have here is the Alienware M14xR2 Resource DVD and the Alienware Drivers and Utilities which is when i tried inserting it, it's saying that this isn't the CD/DVD that it's looking for. WHAT NOW?! i NEED to reset my LAPTOP to it's factory settings PLEASE HELP!!!

PrinsipeJc · Accepted Answer

I appreciate your reply Sir natakuc4 but i was able to reset my PC already and i was expecting to reinstall my drivers but i wasn't asked to maybe because it's part of Microsoft's feature in resetting PC.

NOTE: ignore double quotes(" ") I included it to emphasize what you will see/type/click on your screen

here's the solution on how to make the "Reset/Refresh PC" work on Windows 8.1 which is updated from Windows 8.0 operating system.

first is to create a recovery partition, (which is i don't know why it's required by Microsoft well in fact if your purpose is to remove everything and start from scratch and need not of a recovery partition.)

there an easy way to create Recovery Partition in Windows 8/8.1 press "START" then type on the Search box "Recovery" then press "Enter"

it will open this window

then click "Create A Recovery Drive"

for those who updated Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1 that Checkbox will be grayed out or DISABLED which is my problem in the very first place, because you cannot create a recovery partition which is needed to make the "Refresh/Reset PC" Work

so here's the alternate and BEST SOLUTION! to create a recovery partition on Windows8.1

Press "Windows Key"
Type "cmd" on the "Search Box"
Right Click then "Run As Administrator" (just press "Yes" on the window that will pop up)

you should now see this

from here FOLLOW THE STEPS CAREFULLY!!!

type the following

mkdir (space) C:\REFRESHIMAGE press "ENTER", this will create folder for recovery partition on your C: drive or Local Disk C: for layman's term
recimg (space) -CREATEIMAGE (space) C:\REFRESHIMAGE press "ENTER", this will create the image in the created folder named "REFRESHIMAGE"

Note: (space) indicates that there is a space inbetween the command

3. you should now be having this display

wait for it to finish and a file in the "C:\REFRESHIMAGE" will be created with a filename of "CustomRefresh.wim"

rename it to "INSTALL.wim"

then create a folder on C:

name the folder as Win8.1-Recovery

copy the the file you renamed to "INSTALL.wim" in C:\Win8.1-Recovery

after this, you'll be fine in doing "Reset/Refresh PC" and/or Creating a Recovery drive without having the checkbox greyed out in the process.

Philip_Yip · Answer

It looks like your installation media is corrupt. In addition the refresh won't work without Windows 8.1 media.

You can contact Dell to procure a Dell Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD/USB:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/request-a-reinstallation-dvd-from-dell/

However due to problems Microsoft made you will only get a Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD/USB (Microsoft made Windows 8.1 media reject Windows 8.0 product keys during installation but not at product activation).

For instructions on how to clean install see my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/

Note I recommend to install directly with a Windows 8.1 .iso as there are less troubles; many users have troubles updating from Windows 8.1 from Windows 8.0 and obtaining Windows 8.1 Update 1 and these additional steps increase the time of installation about 3 fold. Downloading a Windows 8.0/8.1 .iso via official mediums requires a Windows 8.0/8.1 Retail product key.

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-iso/

Otherwise you need to find the installation media via unofficial sources (this is of course frowned upon) but many users are left with no choice due to Microsoft's deployment of Windows 8.0/8.1.

The bad deployment of the Windows 8.1 Update is also likely why there are more Windows 8.0 users than Windows 8.1 users...

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HELP! Reset AlienwareM14xR2 to Factory Settings!!!

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